“They are all people with civilian jobs who are keen to get involved, take part and get involved,” as he put it. There are no well-known names among them, which is because they don’t rely on “established” politicians. Wlazny still failed to provide any concrete content and asked for understanding that they were still working on the party program called the “Menu”.
Almost 10,000 members
To do this, people look for an exchange with experts or discuss things at the regulars’ tables, says Wlazny: “The response there is massive.” We are currently working on becoming fit for parliament. The “menu” will be “gradually rolled out” over the course of the campaign.
To date, almost 10,000 members and supporters or around 55 percent of the financing goal have been achieved. But that’s just a “snapshot”; with every press conference and through media presence there are more, said Wlazny: “We’re growing, we’re growing organically. In reality, we’re creating a parliamentary party out of the ground – that takes time.”
Lawyer, small business owner, doctor
The fellow campaigners presented on Wednesday cited the desire to change something as the reason for their involvement in the beer party. The beer party also offers “low-threshold access” and provides a “breath of fresh air”. One of them is the lawyer Victoria Müllner, which says it specializes in data protection and IT law. Taking action was “an inner impulse”. It is important to her to be able to shape the world. In the past, she worked in the human rights sector, said Müllner. Austria’s strength is its diversity, discrimination and inequality are “out of place”.
We want to support the concerns of small and medium-sized businesses Thomas Schuster, an entrepreneur from the Weinviertel, is making a strong contribution to the beer party. He has been an independent entrepreneur for twelve years. “SMEs are the backbone of the local economy.” Measures are needed to create space for innovation.
The doctor wants his expertise in the health sector Heinrich Leskowschek, who works as an internist and gastroenterologist at the hospital in Leoben, contribute. He is “confident” that he can make a difference together with a great team. The health system is bad-mouthed, but offers a good, solid basis from which to continue working. “I am happy to make my energy and experience available.” He described the Beer Party as a “reform movement” and wanted to avoid party-political infighting below the belt.
Video: In a press conference, Wlanzy introduced his first colleagues
For the time being, the beer party did not offer any more in-depth insights into the “menu”. Wlazny referred to the ongoing trial and another press conference at the end of May. When asked regarding his position on cannabis legalization in Germany, Wlazny simply said that he always stands on the side of facts and science. You should always listen to experts, especially when they are so clear, argued the Beer Party founder: “So, why not?”
